Toronto was the largest contributor to the national gain, rising 1.1% from April to May. Builders linked higher prices to market conditions, a shortage of developed land and higher construction costs.

Prices for new houses in Vancouver rose for a third consecutive month, up 2.2% in May and the largest increase for this census metropolitan area since May 2007. Builders cited favourable market conditions as the main reason for the gain.

Builders in Guelph (+1.7%), London (+1.5%) and St. Catharines-Niagara (+0.9%) also reported market conditions as the primary driver of higher new house prices.

Prices were down in five metropolitan areas and unchanged in nine.